What Can I Do About Bleeding From The Rectum While On Eliquis And Apixaban?

Brief Answer:
if the bleeding has not stopped, the drug has to be stopped...

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I believe that if your bleeding is significant (has not stopped yet) then you'll have to stop the drug initially and substitute it temporary with a low-molecular weight heparin like enoxaparin for example.

Your actions should depend a lot on the reason you're taking eliquis for. If you have a metallic valve for example then eliquis is very important to avoid thrombosis on the valve and you should take some sort of anticoagulation at all times. If you have atrial fibrillation then taking an anticoagulant is important but not as much as with the metallic valve. This means that your risk for thrombosis should be weighed against the risk for serious bleeding. There are certain prediction scores for that. The treating doctor is the most appropriate person to determine your risk score.

In most cases we stop eliquis until the bleeding can be controlled and then start anticoagulation again either with another agent or with a low-molecular weight heparin which can be titrated according the the patient's body weight, age and other parameters of the medical history like renal functionality or - finally - with eliquis at a lower dosage (2.5mg instead of 5mg for example). Unless you're somehow responsible for the bleeding (self-injury, accident) then taking eliquis at the same dose again, will probably result in bleeding again.

So in conclusion, medical attention is required if the bleeding has not stopped yet - action has to be taken before you get back to the UK. If the bleeding is important then eliquis has to be stopped until bleeding is controlled. Then depending on your risk score the anticoagulation might have to be reinstituted. Whether it's going to be eliquis again in lower dose or another drug depends on parameters of your medical history that I'm not aware of. The treating doctor should always be counseled before attempting any changes to your regimen.

I hope you've found the answer you were looking for. Please get back to me if you need further assistance.
Regards!

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Brief Answer:
You can probably stop unless...

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Many individuals with implanted pacemakers have atrial fibrillation and require anticoagulation. If this is your case then stopping the anticoagulant will increase your risk for thrombosis and complete discontinuation of the anticoagulant is not recommended unless you've got life-threatening bleeding. Otherwise stopping the anticoagulant for a few days or substituting it with a low-molecular-weight-heparin may be more appropriate.

Regards!

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